Method and apparatus for moistening fabric



Aug. 29, 1961 F. CATALLO METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOISTENING FABRIC Filed Sept. 20, 1957 INVENTOR Frank Cofcllo ATTORNEYS United States Fatent C 2,998,327 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOISTENING FABRIC Frank Catallo, Elmont, N.Y., assignor to Samcoe. Holding Corporation, Woodside, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 20, 1957, Ser. No. 685,108 4 Claims. (Cl. 117-68) The present invention relates to the treatment of fabrics, and more particularly to a novel and improved method and apparatus for moistening fabric in a uniform and controllable manner.

In the processing of fabrics, of either a woven or knitted type, it is often desirable to moisten the fabric to a controlled degree preparatory to performing some other operation on the fabric, such as pressing, preshrinking, compacting or the like. As a general rule, fabric so moistened must be dried during or following the operation, in preparation for which the fabric was moistened. Accordingly, it is desirable that the fabric be moistened to no greater extent than that required. At the same time, it is important that the fabric be adequately moistened throughout, so that the operation subsequently performed on the fabric may be carried out with effectiveness.

Heretofore, a variety of arrangements have been proposed for moistening fabrics, such as passing the fabric through streams or jets of water or steam, etc. None of these presently known arrangements is entirely satisfactory since it is impossible to control, with effective ness, the amount of moisture applied to the fabric or the uniformity of application. Thus, in many cases, it has been necessary to excessively moisten the fabric, placing increased demands on the fabric drying equipment, and often reducing the speed and efficiency with which the entire fabric processing is carried out. Moreover, where the moisture is applied non-uniformly to the fabric, subsequent processing, such as pre-shrinking or compacting, for example, may be unsatisfactory.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved method and apparatus is provided whereby moisture may be applied to a fabric with a substantial uniformity not heretofore obtainable, and with relatively precise control as to the amount of moisture applied. The new method and apparatus is also effective in working the moisture into the fabric in the manner desired, whereas with prior arrangements moisture is often retained on the surface of the fabric and is of limited effectiveness.

More specifically, the invention provides for the moistening of fabric by moving the fabric at a controlled rate of speed between surfaces adapted to apply pressure to the opposite sides of the fabric, and maintaining a substantially uniform layer of condensed steam upon such portions of the surfaces as are in pressure bearing relation to the fabric. Advantageously, the pressure bearing surfaces may be opposed rolls, which are adapted to move the fabric as well as apply pressure thereto.

In a preferred form of the invention, the fabric is passed between rotating rolls arranged in pressure bearing relation to the fabric and maintained at a temperature below that at which steam condenses. A portion of the surface of each roll is exposed to an atmosphere of steam, whereby steam is caused to condense in a highly uniform manner upon the surfaces of the rolls. As the rolls rotate, the surface portions thereof having a uniform layer of condensed steam are brought progressively into pressure bearing relation with the fabric whereby the moisture on the roll surfaces is pressed into the fabric in the manner desired. The quantity of moisture applied may be regulated with substantial accuracy fa'tented Aug. 29, 1961 by controlling the temperature at which the rolls are maintained and/or the condition of the steam atmosphere to which chilled surface portions of the rolls are exposed.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic perspective representation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and used for carrying out the new method;.

and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in sec-- tion, of one of the rolls used in the apparatus of FIG. 1

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeralv 10 designates a strip of fabric which, in the illustration,v is a length of tubular knitted fabric. However, it will beunderstood that the nature of the material treated is:

generally of no importance, and it is contemplated that various forms of knitted and woven materials may be: advantageously moistened with the method and apparatusf of the invention.

On opposite sides of the plane of movement of thematerial 10 are. cylindrical rolls 11, 12, mounted on shafts 13, 14, respectively, supported in the usual man-- ner by suitable bearings (not shown). The particular arrangements for mounting the rolls 11, 12 and shafts 13, 14 may be purely conventional, it being understood,v

however, that the rolls will be urged toward each other, in the direction of the arrows F whereby opposed surface portions of the rolls may be brought into pressure.

bearing relation to the opposite sides of the fabric 10.

In the illustrated apparatus, the rolls 11, 12 are driven by means of a motor 15, acting through belt drives 16, 17 and variable speed transmission device 1 8, and connected to the lower roll 12. The upper roll 11 is driven by the lower roll 12, through meshing gears 19, 20

mounted on roll shafts 13, 14 respectively. The arrangement is such that the surface speeds of the rotating rolls 11, 12 are equal.

Advantageously, the rolls 11, 12 are of hollow construction, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the roll 11 comprises a cylindrical tubular sleeve 21 having a smooth outer surface and forming the active, pressure-bearing portion of the roll. The open ends of the sleeve 21 are closed by means of caps 22 which are secured in rigid,,

fluid-tight relation to the sleeve.

At one side of the roll 11, the cap 22 threadedly receives a tubular shaft member 23 forming part of theroll supporting shaft 13. The tubular shaft member 23 supports the gear 19 (FIG. 1), and is adapted to bejournaled whereby the roll may be supported in the manner desired.

At its outer end, the shaft member 23 projects into a.

inlet supply conduit 29 and opens into the housing 24, 7.

whereby to be an open communication with the interior of. the tubular shaft member 23. The shaft member 23 is open at its inner end, so that fluid entering the member from the inlet passage 27 flows into the hollow interior of the roll 11.

- Extending concentrically through the tubular shaft member 23 is a conduit 30 which communicates with the 1 outlet passage 28.0f the fitting 26 and is in open commu-' The arrangement is such- 3 nication with the interior of the roll 11 at a point remote from the open end of the tubular shaft member 23. Accordingly, as fluid enters the roll through the annular passage in the tubular shaft member 23, fluid simultane-' ously flows out of the roll through the conduit 30. Advantageously, the tubular shaft member 23 and conduit 30 may be in communication with opposite ends'of the roll 11, whereby the fluid is caused to traverse the entire length of the roll before being discharged through to conduit 30.

The assembly comprising housing 24 and fitting 26 constitutes a rotary fluid joint of generally conventional design, and is designated by the reference numeral 31 in FIG. 1. A second rotary fluid joint 32 is provided for the lower roll 12, and it will be understood that the fluid joint 32 and associated parts are substantially the same as described above in connection with the joint 31- and roll 11.

4 In the illustrated apparatus, inlet conduits 29, 29' for the fluid joints 31, 32 are connected through a conduit 33 to a fluid cooling device 34. The cooling device 34 may be of conventional design and should be provided with a temperature gauge 35 and temperature regulating means 36. The cooling device 34 may also be connected through conduits 37-39 with the fluid outlets of the respective fluid joints 31, 32, so that a closed fluid system is provided. Of course, where a closed fluid system is employed, suitable pump means, not shown, will be provided to circulate the fluid in the manner desired. The cooling fluid utilized in the system may be any fluid suitable for the purpose, plain water being satisfactory in most places.

Extending alongside the rolls 11, 12, in generally parallel relation thereto, and adjacent the sides thereof diametrically opposite the pressure bearing surface portions, are steam headers 40, 41 having suitable openings 42 through which steam in the headers may escape to form an atmosphere of steam adjacent the roll surfaces. In this respect, it will be understood that the term steam, as used herein, is not employed in its strict or technical sense. Rather, the term includes both true steam and water vapor.

Steam is supplied to the headers 40, 41 through conduits 42-45 leading through a pressure regulator valve 46, of conventional design, to a suitable steam source represented by the numeral 47. The regulator valve 46 is provided with a manually-operable adjustment 48, whereby the pressure in conduits 4245 may be regulated, and a suitable gauge or an indicator 49 is provided in the conduit 45 for ascertaining the adjusted steam pressure.

In carrying out the method of the invention, the fluid cooling device 34 is placed in operation and adjusted to deliver cooling fluid to the interior of the rolls 11, 12, in a manner such that the temperature of the rolls may be maintained below the temperature at which steam condenses. The steam regulating valve 46 is adjusted to cause steam to flow into the headers 40-41 at a preset pressure, whereby regulated quantities of steam flow out of the header openings toward the rolls 11, 12, creating an atmosphere of steam about portions of the roll surfaces. The rolls 11, 12 are rotated at a predetermined speed, as determined by the adjusted setting of the variable transmission device 18, and a length of fabric 10 is passed between the rolls, being drawn through the nip of the rolls by the rotation thereof.

In accordance with the invention, as the rolls 11, 12 rotate, chilled surface portions thereof are brought prog'ressively into adjacency with the steam headers 40, 41, whereupon a condensation of steam upon the chilled roll surfaces takes place. A substantially uniform layer of condensate is thus deposited on the roll surfaces. The thickness of the condensate layer may be closely controlled by regulating the temperature of the rolls, the volume and temperature of the steam supplied through headers 40, 41, and the speed of rotation of the rolls. As a general rule, the speed of rotation of the rolls 11, 12

a layer of steam condensate on such surfaces.

will be determined by the speed of operation of other equipment in a fabric processing line, for example, so that control of the condensate layer is accomplished primarily by regulating the temperature and pressure of the steam and the temperature and rate of flow of the cooling fluid. It will bereadily apparent that such regulation affords a precise control over the uniform condensate layer applied to the roll 11, 12.

As the rolls 11, 12 are rotated, drawing the length of fabric 10 therethrough, surface portions of the rolls having a uniform condensate layer thereon are progressively brought into pressure bearing relation with the opposite surf-aces of the fabric. The condensate is thereby pressed into the material permeating the yarns or threads in a substantially uniform and effective manner. In this respect, it will be understood that the rolls 11, 12 may be adjusted to bear with more or less pressure on the fabric 10, so that under all conditions the layer of condensate is pressed into the fabric and not permitted merely to remain on the surface thereof.

The new method constitutes a substantial improvement over methods heretofore known in that precise and readily controllable regulation of the application of moisture to the fabric is alforded. Not only is the fabric moistened in a highly uniform manner, but, perhaps of even greater importance, the quantity of moisture imparted to the fabric may be closely controlled within predetermined limits. The new method assures that sufiicient moisture is imparted to the material for the purpose intended, while the presence of excess moisture is avoided. Heretofore, it has usually been necessary to over-moisten the fabric, which creates a substantial problem in connection with subsequent drying of the fabric, and necessitates outsized drying equipment in order to maintain satisfactory production speeds. Moreover, the presence of excess moisture in the fabric could, in some cases, have an adverse effect on the subsequent processing of the fabric.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the moisture applied to the fabric is effectively pressed into the material, permeating the fibers thereof, and conditioning the material in a desirable manner. This assures that the moisture applied to the fabric is most effectively utilized, and reduces the quantity of moisture required to condition the fabric.

The apparatus of the invention, used to carry out the new method, is of generally simplified design, and may take a variety of forms, so that the apparatus may be readily integrated with other types of fabric processing equipment. In its most elementary form, the apparatus comprises a pair of opposed pressure bearing surfaces and means to maintain a substantially uniform Most advantageously, the pressure bearing surfaces are in the form of hollow, water cooled rolls, rotated at a rate such that the peripheral speed of the rolls equals the speed of advance of the fabric. Accordingly, the mois- 1 ture is pressed into the fabric without abraiding or otherwise affecting the fabric.

It should be understood, however, that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only of the invention, and reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope thereof.

I claim:

1. The method of controllably and uniformly moistening fabric which comprises passing said fabric at a controlled rate of speed between surfaces adapted to apply pressure to the opposite sides of said fabric, moving said 2. Apparatus for controllably and uniformly moistening fabric comprising a pair of opposed rolls adapted to apply pressure to fabric passing therebetween, means to move said fabric at a controlled rate, means to maintain said rolls at a temperature below that at which steam condenses, and means to maintain an atmosphere of steam about portions of said rolls across their width.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, in which said rolls are of hollow construction, and said means to maintain said rolls at a temperature below that at which steam condenses comprises means to controllably circulate a heat transfer medium internally of said rolls.

4. Apparatus for controllably and uniformly moistening fabrics comprising a pair of rolls adapted to apply pressure to fabric passing therebetween and to move said fabric at a controlled rate, means for controllably rotating said rolls, means to maintain said rolls at a temperature below that at which steam condenses, and means to maintain an atmosphere of steam about portions of said rolls across their widths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. THE METHOD OF CONTROLLABLY AND UNIFORMLY MOISTENING FABRIC WHICH COMPRISES PASSING SAID FABRIC AT A CONTROLLED RATE OF SPEED BETWEEN SURFACES ADAPTED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FABRIC, MOVING SAID SURFACES AT THE SAME RATE OF SPEED AS SAID FABRIC AND BRINGING PORTIONS OF SAID SURFACES PROGRESSIVELY INTO PRESSURE BEARING RELATION WITH SAID FABRIC, PROVIDING AN ATMOSPHERE OF STEAM IN CONTACT WITH PORTIONS OF SAID SURFACES ACROSS THEIR WIDTHS, AND CONTROLLABLY CONDENSING STEAM UPON SAID PORTIONS OF SAID SURFACES PRIOR TO THE BRINGING OF SAID PORTIONS INTO PRESSURE BEARING RELATION WITH SAID FABRIC. 